Pohnpeic languages
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Pohnpeic, also rendered Ponapeic, is a subgroup of the Chuukic–Pohnpeic branch of Micronesian in the Austronesian language family. The languages are primarily spoken in Pohnpei State of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Languages
Innovations
Pohnpeic languages are distinct from the closely related Chuukic languages as a result of uniquely developed innovations. One such innovation is nasal substitution, where the first element in a consonant geminate becomes a homorganic nasal consonant. An example of this change is seen where Proto-Chuukic-Pohnpeic */kkaŋ/ 'sharp' became Mokilese /iŋkɔŋ/, whereas in Chuukese it is /kken/.
Phonology
| Proto-Oceanic | *p | *t | *k | *s, *nj | *ns, *j | *j | *mp | *mp, *ŋp | *nt, *nd | *ŋk | *m | *m, *ŋm | *n | *ɲ | *ŋ | *w | *y | *d,R | *l | |
| Proto-Micronesian | *f | *t | *k | *T | *s | *S | *Z | *p | *pʷ | *c | *x | *m | *mʷ | *n | *ɲ | *ŋ | *w | *y | *r | *l |
| Proto-Chuukic-Pohnpeic | *f | *t | *k | *j | *t | *t | *∅ | *p | *pʷ | *c | *∅,r3 | *m | *mʷ | *n | *ɲ | *ŋ | *w | *y | *r | *l |
| Proto-Pohnpeic | *p, ∅2 | *j,∅1{_i,u,e4} | *k | *j | *t̻ | *t̻ | *∅ | *p1 | *pʷ | *c | *∅,r3 | *m | *mʷ | *n | *∅,n{high V_} | *ŋ | *w | *y | *r | *l |
1 In the Pohnpeic languages, geminate obstruents are realized as homorganic nasal-obstruent clusters. 2 Often before /i/. 3 Before /a/. 4 The reflex is *∅ sporadically before PMc *e.